Annelies and her family have been in lockdown since the start of the pandemic. As a kidney transplant patient, she received a kidney transplant in 2007. She takes drugs to make sure her immune system doesn’t reject the new kidney. “The coronavirus is extra dangerous for patients like her: she can become seriously ill from the virus and the chance of death is considerably higher for her than for others,” the UMCG reported on Wednesday.
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Fear of virus
‘For example, her son doesn’t go to school. The fear that the virus will enter the house through their son is too great. Although she indicates that she is used to something, it is clear that the situation is taking a heavy toll on her and her family’, according to the UMCG. And there are many like this patient: an estimated more than 500,000 people in the Netherlands with a weakened immune system are at extra risk during the pandemic and are therefore considerably limited in what they can and cannot do.
Insufficient effectiveness of vaccine
The UMCG is conducting research into the effect of COVID-19 vaccines in kidney patients, lung transplant patients and patients with cancer. On Tuesday, August 17, the first two studies presented their results. Vaccinations are insufficient for various patient groups.
Importance of a well-functioning vaccine
A well-functioning and safe vaccine is especially important for these vulnerable people. However, the currently available vaccines have mainly been studied in relatively healthy adults. Specific risk groups are not included or only very limited in these studies. As a result, there is insufficient knowledge about the immune response of the vaccine in patients who are known to have a less well-functioning immune system due to a congenital disorder, from medication after a transplant or from chemotherapy or immunotherapy for cancer.
Studies into the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in vulnerable groups
ZonMw has started eight studies into the effect of COVID-19 vaccines in vulnerable groups. Three of these are coordinated in the UMCG. This concerns studies into the effect of COVID-19 vaccines in kidney patients, lung transplant patients and patients with cancer. The first two presented their first results on Tuesday 17 August.
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